Shell banding machine



Sept. 6, 1960 B. D. JOHNSON SHELL BANDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledO0t 24, 1956 AWE... mnllx INVENTOR. Bleues D. JoHA/saw BY f M, Mr M 6Sheets-Sheet 2 i d1 N 5 UI|H n l R a v *QC NQ m MY M Q0?. E H V 0 a l rmw l1 m J M m 1 .H D. b 4 ob N n@ mn 1 l H M l me@ .mvv wm P wx* Y Mm NSB Y R. mi WN Sept. 6, 1960 B. D. JOHNSON SHELL BANDING MACHINE FiledOct. 24, 1.956

Sept. 6, 1960 B. D. JOHNSON SHELL BANDING MACHINE 6 sheets-sheet s Filed061'.. 24, 1956 IN V EN TOR.

@eac E D. Johw saw A 7' Talen/EY! Sept. 6, 1960 B. D. JOHNSON SHELLBANDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 24, 1956 IN V EN TOR.

...IL En Arromvs v5 Sept. 6, 1969 B. D. JOHNSON SHELL BANDING MACHINE 6Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct, 24, 1956 1N V EN TOR. BRUCE Q Jau/50N Mwam ATTD/ENE Y5 Sept. `6, 1966 B. D. JOHNSON 2,951,401

SHELL BANDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 24, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 j. s N

INVENTOR.

519065 D. dahwo/ A Trama-v5 United States SHELL BANDING MACHINE FiledOct. 24, 1956, Ser. No. 618,117

12 lClaims. (Cl. 7 8-15) This invention relates to improvements in shellbanding machines and particularly to amachine incorporating hydraulicshell handling and banding rams operable in automatic sequence.

The device of the present invention will swage bands on artilleryprojectiles or shells at an automatic production rate for 105 mm. shellsof eight to ten shells per minute. The device of the present inventionis fully automatic and will continuously band shells as long as unbandedshells and bands are supplied thereto. On interruption of the supplyeither of unbanded shells or bands, the automatic control circuit of thepresent invention will de-actuate the machine. The hydraulic rams of thepresent invention are of such capacity and the cycle of operationsthereof is so timed that the shells are uniformly banded with minimumrejection rate and minimum loss of production.

In the device of the present invention a novel escapement mechanism isprovided to index unbanded shells from a delivery conveyor to a transferstation from which the shells are transported hydraulically to a bandingstation where bands are swaged thereto and the banded shells returned tothe transfer station. The escapement mechanism then removes bandedshells from the transfer station to a discharge conveyor, desirably inthe course of indexing the next succeeding unbanded shell to thetransfer station.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be more apparentfrom an examination of the following disclosure in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a banding machine embodying the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the machine of Fig. 1, partly in crosssection through the transfer station along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical fragmentary cross section taken throughthe device and showing an unbanded shell in position at the start of thecycle of operations.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary axial cross section showing the next step in thecycle of banding operation.

Figs. 6 and 7 are fragmentary cross sectional views showing stillfurther steps in the cycle of banding operations.

Figs. 8 through 11 are greatly enlarged fragmentary cross sectionalviews taken through the swaging ring and associated parts andillustrating in sequence the cycle of banding operations.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the shell and band priorto the swaging operation.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary axial cross section taken through a modifiedembodiment of the invention.

Figs. 14 through 16 are fragmentary transverse cross sectional viewstaken through the transfer station of the device and illustrating thesequence of operations of the escapement mechanism for deliveringunbanded shells to the transfer station and removing banded shells tothe discharge conveyor.

dem o Patented Sept. 6, 1960 Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view taken onthe line 17-17 of Fig. 18. t

Fig. 18 is an enlarged view, partly in section and partly in elevation,showing a shell onthe transfer station support saddle.

Fig. 19 is a combined electrical and hydraulic circuit diagram for thedevice of the present invention. K

The artillery projectile shells to which the bands 31 are to be appliedare indicated in the drawing by reference character 32. As best shown inFig. l2, each shell has a peripheral groove 33, the base of which isdesirably provided with discontinuous peripheral ribs 34 or equivalentroughened surface. In the device of the present invention the band 31which is of copper or like relatively soft metal is contracted or swagedinto the groove 33, a portion of the contracted band being exposedbeyond the surface of the shell 32 whereby to engage the riiling in thebore of the artillery piece and impart rotation to the shell as itemerges from the piece.

In the device of the present invention the shells 32 are banded in ahorizontal press vgenerally identified by reference character 35. Asbest shown in Figs. l through 3, the horizontal press is desirablysupported on a table having legs 36 and a top 37. Beneath the table anelectric motor 38 may be supported on the stand 39. The shaft of motor38 is coupled to a hydraulic fluid pump and-associated mechanismenclosed within the housing 42. The hydraulic fluid circuit is shown indetail in Fig. 19.

Referring particularly to Fig. 4, the horizontal hydraulic press 35comprises relatively ixed end heads 43, 44 connected at their fourcorners by the horizontal guide rods 45. Slidably mounted on the rods 45for unitary reciprocation therealong is a movable platen 46 and a crosshead 47, these parts being interconnected by upper and lower spacer bars48.

End head V44 is provided with a ram cylinder housing 51 within which thepiston 52 for a hollow ram 53 is disposed. Ram 53 comprises acylindrical sleeve of smaller external diameter than the bore ofcylinder housing 51 whereby to provide an annular fluid chamber 54 whichmay be pressurized through port 55 to hydraulically propel piston-SZtoward the right as shown in Fig. 4. The space behind piston 52 may bepressurized through port 56 to propel the piston 52 to the left as shownin Fig. 4.

Ram sleeve 53 moves in the annular ring bearing 57 mounted about acentral opening 58 in end head 44. The sleeve 53 is fastened to crosshead 47 by an annular retaining ring 59.

The cylindrical bore 62 of ram sleeve 53 conta-ins a second hydraulicram 63 which extends through a centrall opening 64 on the cross head 47and has at its exposed end a cap 65 socketed -at 66 to receive one endof a projectile 32. Hydraulic iluid may be admitted to the rear of ram63 through the port 67, the diameter of -rarn 63 being slightly smallerthan the diameter of bore 62 -to provide .an annular passage for iluidmoving be- (tween port I67 and .the rear face of ram 63.

From the foregoing it 4is clear that ram piston 52 isv double-acting andits movement will actuate cross head 47 and movable platen 46concurrently in both directions of reciprocation thereof. Ram 63 issingle acting and when port 67 is pressurized the ram 63 will movev ltothe lef-t as shown in Fig. 4.

{Fixed end head 43 of the press is provded with a cylinder housing 70for the double-acting ram 68 which has a piston 69. The diameter of ram68 is slightly less than the diameter of .the bore of cylinder 70 toprovide an :annular space 74 therebetween. Hydraulic fluid may beadmitted to .the rear face of piston 69 through the port 72 and may beadmitted to the annular space '.74

adjacent .the forward face of piston 69 through the port 73.

Ram 68 is slidable on the ring bearings 75 mounted in a central opening76 in the fixed end head 43. The end head 43 is further provided with a;tubular.` bracket sleeve 77 lthrough which the projecting stem 78, ofram 68s`r reciprecates. At its outer end .the `tubular` bracket 77car-ries an annular abutment ring '7;9. which has a sleeve extension orrim 82, the inner periphery of which istapered as best shown in Fig. 8.tof receive the tapered end 83 of the projectile shell 32. The annularabutment ring 79 in turn supports `the .band .abutment sleeve 84,V thediameter ofy which corresponds to the diameter of uncontraeted bands 3.1as best shown in Fig. 8, Whereby to restrain such bands 31 against axialmovement in .the course of; the swaging operation;

In- Fig. 13 a modication of l.th-e shell positioner is disclosed. Forlarger and heavier shells 61 the tubular bracket 77 carries an abutmentring 71 having an enlarged recess 80 in which a cap 81 iixed` to the ramstem 78 seats. Cap 81 has a conical seat to receive the tapered. end ofthe large shellV 61. Accordingly, the cap 81 moves with the shell whenit is advanced and ejected through the die S7 by stem 78 -to bettersupport the heavy shell in transit.

Movable platen 46 is provided with a centraly opening 85, a swaging dieretainer ring 86 and a hardened swaging ring or die 87, .the details oftheseV parts being bestv shown in Fig. 11.

Swaging die 87 is provided with a conicalr or tapered die.v surface 88,the mouth of which is slightly larger in diameter than the externaldiameter of .the uncontracted band 31. The taper of die surface 88 maycorrespond to the external tapered surface 89 of ithe band abutmentsleeve 84. Accordingly, when the platen 46 is moved to its positionshown in Fig. 9, the band abutment sleeve 84 may .be Afreely receivedwithin the die 87 as therein indicated. Die 87 is also provided with :acylindrical surface 90.

Because of the extreme pressures .to which the swag-ing die is subject,its mounting in the movable platen 46 must be .strong enough towithstand these pressures Without failure. Accordingly, to contain theexpansive forces which are imposed upon the swaging die 87 in the courseof the swaging opera-tion, a toughened retainer ring 86 is shrunk ontothe die 87 before the die is positioned in the opening 85 in platen 46.Both the retaining r-ing 86 and die 87 .are held within the opening 85byv means of a holddown ring 92, the ring being held by .bolts 91 inabutment with the end of the retainer ring :86 and with the shoulder 93formed on the die 87. Accordingly, such expansive forces to which thedie 87 is subject in the swaging operation are contained both by the die87 .and by .the ring 86, the platen 46 being isolated :from andrelatively free of such expansive forces.

Note from Figs. 4 .and 8 that the die 87 may be provided With a lip 94extending into the path of vertical descent of band 31 whereby tosupport the band 31 in position for passage therethrough of the end 83of shell 32. The bands 31 are stored in a band magazine 95 mounted onthe cross member 96 which has a fixed connection to the rods 45. Themagazine 95 may be fed with bands 31 from a hopper (not shown).

Platen 46 is provided with bracket arms 97 which carry a suitableshuttle 98 elongated in the direction of platen reciprocation to closethe bottom of the magazine 95 when .the platen 46 is in its retractedposi-tion shown in Fig. 4. The .brackets 97 and shuttle 98 are spacedfrom, the end face of platen 46 a distance slightly greater than thewidth of a .band 31 so that when the platen 46 has .advanced to itsposition shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the lowermost Iband '31 in the magazine95 may drop to an intermediate position shown in these iigures in whichit iIS; temporarily supported on the rimV of sleeve 84.

Platen 46 is also provided with -a bracket 99 which carries dual bandsupport pins 102 which project beneath the penultimate lband 31 inmagazine 95 .to support all bands 'above .the band 31 which dropped ontothe sleeve 84. As soon as platen 46 retracts shuttle 98 will again bebeneath the magazine 95 so that Withdrawal of pins 102 will permit thebands 31 in magazine 95 to descend .to their position shown in Fig. 4.Meanwhile the band 31 supported in intermediate position shown lin Figs.6 .and 7 on the sleeve 84 will be carried with the platen 46 away fromsleeve 84 and will drop into its ultimate position shown in Fig. 4 assoon as the stem4 78 of ram 63 has retracted to its position shown inFig. 4. In the foregoing manner the shuttle 98, pins 102, sleeve 84 andplaten 46 act as Van escapement mechanism -to deliver successive bands31 into the machine for banding purposes.

Note from Figs. 3 and 14 through 16 that the magazine is providedV-w-ith guide rails i103, one of these rai-ls being provided with al slot104v through which the actuating roller of limit switch LSS extends. Aswill hereinafter be .explained more in detail, operation of the machinedepends on pressure of .a band 31 on LSS. Accordingly, if the magazine95? becomes empty, machine operations will stop.

`While machine operations will be described more in detail in connectionwith the explanation of the circuit diagram of Fig. 19', it will benoted at this point that an unbanded shell 32 is transported by ram 63from its transfer station shown in Fig. 4 to the left, passing throughthe swaging die 87- enroute to its position shown in Fig. 5. In thecourse of this movement the shell 32 passes through both the swagi'ngdie 87 and through band 31 disposed on the lip 94 of the swaging die,movement of the piston 63 continuing until the end of the shell is rmlyseated in itsseat 82. This position of the parts is also illustrated inenlarged fragmentary cross sect-ion in Fig. 8, the position of the partsbeing such that the band 31' registered with the shell groove 33'.

The rear face of piston 52 is now pressurized to concurrently move thecross head 47 and movable platen 46 which carries the swaging die 87 4tothe left as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and S, whereby the die 87 Will swage orcontract the. band 31 into the groove 33. Platen 46 andV die 87ultimately reach their positions shownl in Figs. 6 and 9 in which theband 31' is almost completely contracted into the groove 33. In thisposition portions of band 31 register respectively with die portions 98.and' 88. During the foregoing movement of die 87 the band abutmentsleeve 84 holds the band against axial movement, the projectile 32 alsobeing held against axial movement by abutment ring 79 in the conical rim82 of which the nose 83' ofthe shell is seated.

The swaging of the ring 31 into groove 33 is completed' by actuation ofthe piston 69 toward the right as shown in the foregoing figures, thusforcing theV band comvplretely through the remaining portion of die face88 and the shell rearwardly out of the die as indicated in Figs. l-O andl1. The banded shell is thereupon returned to its transfer station asshown in Fig, 7 Whereupon both pistons SZ, 69 retract to their Fig. 4position to permit removal of the banded shell and replacement by anunbanded shell by the escapementmechanism best shown in Figs. 2, 3 and14 through 16.

As best shown in 'Figs 14 through 16 unbanded' shells may be deliveredby gravity to the machine on an inclined ramp 167. Banded shells may bedelivered from the machine on a discharge ramp 108. Shells delivered tothe transfer station are supported in the saddle or cradle members 189,118, best shown in Fig. 18. Member 109 is suitably apertured to receive`the actuating button 113 of' limit switch LS1. Table 107 is alsosuitably apertured for projection therethrough of the actuating buttonof limit switch L58; As will hereinafter appear,

switches LS1 andLSS comprise interlocks which will deenergize themachine unless closed by the pressure of shells thereon during criticalperiods in the machine cycle.

Cradle rails 109, 110 are supported on a fixed platform 114 slotted at115 to clear the lowerm'ost spacer bar 48 as shown in Fig. 3. Platform114 is mounted on the table top 37 and has a lateral extension 116 whichcarries a cross pintle 117 on which escapement levers 118 are pivotallymounted intermediate their length. Beyond pintle 117 escapement levers118 are spanned by the pin 119 to which the piston rod 122 of hydraulicmotor 123 is pivotally connected. Motor 123 is mounted on a bracket 124connected to a table leg 36. Motor 123 powers pivotal movement ofescapemeiit levers 118 about pintle 117 and between their respectivepositions shown Vin Figs. 14 and 16 and their position shown in Fig. 15.

In lowermost position of the escapement levers 118, and Ias best shownin Fig. 14, elevator platform 'portions 125 thereot` align with inputramp 107 to receive by gravity one unbanded shell 32. Platform apron 112is provided with a stop edge portion 126 projecting above the level ofthe elevator platform portion 125 of the escapement levers 118 in theirFig. 14 position whereby 'to preclude further advance of the shell 32.The space between the abutment 126 and the ends 129 of the escapementlevers 118 is great enough to accommodate but a single shell on theplatform 125.

ln Fig. 14 a previously indexed shell 32 is shown on the saddle rails109, 110 at the transfer station Yand in position for the bandingoperation previously described.

er1 the shell is transported by the rams aforesaid and the bandingoperation is completed, the banded shell is ejected and replaced on thetransfer station with the next unbanded shell. For this purposehydraulic motor 123 is actuated to pivot the escapement levers 118 abouttheir fulcrum 117 to their position shown in Fig. 15. The curvedportions 127 of the escapement levers 118 are thus elevated to lift thebanded shell from its saddle supports 109, 11) and permit the bandedshell to roll by gravity as indicated in Fig. 15 along the escapementlevers and toward the discharge conveyor 108. Pivotal movement of theescapement levers 118 aforesaid also serves to lift the unbanded shell32 on elevator platform pontions 125 of the arms 118 over the fixedabutment 126. Such unbanded shell 32 will then roll down the incline ofraised platform 125 and will come to rest against the abutment edges 128formed at the rear of the curved portions 127 of the escapment levers118. Meanwhile the ends 129 of escapement levers 118 Will be raised totheir Fig. 15 position to preclude any movement of the unbanded shells32 on ramp 107, these being stored in position awaiting indexed advancetoward the transfer station.

When hydraulic motor 123 is actuated in its opposite direction torestore the escapement levers 118 to their position shown in Fig. 16,abutment portion-128 of the levers 118 will be lowered below the levelof the platform apron 112 and permit unbanded shell `32 which hadpreviously been arrested thereagainst to descend by gravity onto thesupport rails 11D9, 110 of the transfer station. As shown in Fig. 16 thenext succeeding previously stored shell 32 may then descend by gravityalong ramp 1117 onto the platform portion 125 of the escapement levers118 pending repeat of the escapement cycle.

From the foregoing it is clear that the escapement mechanism aforesaidwill discharge a banded shell from the transfer station and deliver anunbanded shell into the transfer station on each escapement cycleoperation as controlled by hydraulic motor 123.

The electrical and hydraulic circuit for the completely automaticoperation of the banding machine is shown in Fig. 19. Limit switchesLS1, LSS and L88 primarily comprise Ain'terloclrs requiring an assuredsupply -of unbanded shells and lbands to maintain the machine inoperation. 'Ina'sniuch as'these switches are ordinarily closed bypressure of Vth'e appropriate components, these switches are shown asnormally closed in the electrical 'circuit diagram of Fig. 19. Releaseof component ,pressur`e,how ever, will cause these interlock's'witchesto open. Limit switches LS3, LS7 which are actuated by movement of theram sleeve 53 of piston 52 are closed only when contacted `by ltheactuator cam 132 which is shown in both Figs. 1 and 19. Limit switch LS4is normally closed. Limit switch LS6 has two contactors, 213 wh'ich is"'n'ormally closed and 214 which is normally open. VLS4 and LS6 areactuated by the switch actuator 133 mounted on the rod 134 extendingrearwardly from piston 69 Ii'n cylinder 67, as shown in Figs. 2 and 19.

Pump motor 38 is energized through 'the polyph'ase leads 135, singlephase power being supplied to 'the co'ntrol circuit leads 136, 137,'through the step down transformer 138. Motor 38 may be startedbil-manually 'closing switch button 141. This completes a circuitbetween leads 136, 137 through line 142, relay 4 and normally closedoverload circuit braker contactors 143. Energizertion of relay 4 closesthe switch cont'actors 144111 the polyphase leads to motor 38 and closes'holding circuit contactor switch y 'about push button 141. A normallyclosed 'master stop switch 146 i's Valso provided in line 142 whereby toshut down the machine when opened.

Assuming an unbanded shell 32 at the transfer vstation with limitswitches LS1, VLSS and LSS closed and Yram 68 retracted aginst LS6 toclose contactor 214, "the A*banding cycle will automatically start if`selector 'switch '146 is on auto position t'o close contactor 147.lfthec'ycle switch 146 is on hand to close contactor 148, it isnecessary to 'close the cycle start switch button 149. In either case acircuit between leads 136, 137 is completed through the relay 1 and theclosed limit switches aforesaid. -Relay 1 concurrently will 'closeholding circuit contactor switch 139 about cycle start switch button 149and relay actuated contactor switch .152. Closure of switch 152completes a circuit from lead 136, line 153, through normally closedcontactor switch 154, lin'e 155,

line 156, normally closed switch 157, and lin'e 153 through the solenoidcoil D on the solenoid 'actuated hydraulic valve 159 and return line 160to lead 137. Valve 159 will thus be moved against the bias of its returnspring 1163 to its position shown in Fig. 19.

Actuation of relay .1 also energizes solenoid C of the hydraulic valve164 to move it to its position shown in Fig. 19 and against the bias ofits return spring 165. Solenoid C is energized from lead 136, throughs'witch 152, line 153, normally closed switch 154, lines 155, 166 and167, through the coil C and line 168 back to lead 137.

Actuation of relay 1 also energizes solenoid Vcoil B of the hydraulicvalve 171 to move the valve to its position shown in Fig. 19 against thebias of its return spring 172. Coil B is energized in a circuit fromlead 136 through line 173, relay 1 actuated contactor switch 174, line175 through the time delay relay actuated contactor switch 176, line 177through the coil B and line 178 back to lead 137. Time delay contactorswitch 176 is actuated by the time delay relay 181 which is in line 182from line directly to lead 137. The time delay thus .providedinsuresact'uation by solenoids C and D of their respective hydraulictiud valves `164, 159 before valve 171 is actuated.

The sequence of steps aforesaid will connect the hydraulic pump inhousing 42 through fluid line 153, port 184 in fluid valve 171, uid line185, port 136 in hydraulic fluid valve 164, iluid line 187, check valve193 and branch fluid lines 188 'and 189 respectively to port 56 forpiston 52 and port `67 for ram 63. Line 189 is connected to port 67through the port 192 of hydraulic fluid valve 159.

Fluid lines 194, 195 and 196 are open to sump 201) `through port 201 ofvalve 223. However, uid in cylinder 54 ahead of piston 52 will delaymovement of piston 52 te the right in Fig. 19 until its pressure exceedsthat for which resistance valve 151 is set. Such fluid may not by passresistance valve 151 because of check valve 197. Ram 63, however, isfree to move without delay te the right in Fig. 19 te move the unbandedshell 32 through the swaging die as aforesaid. The time delay requiredfor the pressure at port 55 te buildup to a level exceeding the pressurefor which resistance valve 151 is set is amply sucient to permit ram 63te position shell 32 in its seat 82. v

During the foregoing operations limit switches LS1, LSS and LSS willopen because of the movement of the shells and bands. However, relay 1has meanwhile closed relay actuated centacters 198, 199 around theselimit switches to render the opening thereof ineffective to interruptthe banding operation.

As piston 52 moves to the right in Fig. 19 in the fereygoing step,hydraulic fluid in bere 62 of ram 63 will exhaust through port 67 backinte the fluid line .189 inasmuch as the pressure exerted by relativelylarge piston 52 is much greater than the resistance olfered by the fluidin relatively smaller cylinder 62.

Concurrently with the arrival of the swaging die at its iFig. 6 positionin which the band 31 is almost completely contracted into the shellgroove, switch actuator 132 en ram sleeve 53 will contact and closelimit switch LS3, thus energizing relay 2 which is in line 202 betweenleads 136, `137. Accordingly, normally closed relay actuated contacters`154, 157 will open to break the circuits to soleneids C and D andpermitting the respective springs 165 and 163 of hydraulic uid controlvalves 164, 159 te shift the valve plugs thereof toward the right asshown in Fig. 1-9.

Accordingly, port 67 of cylinder 62 of ram 63 will be connected throughvalve port 203 to the hydraulic iluid sump 204 and fluid line 187 willbe connected through port 205 in valve 146 to iluid line 206 which isconnected through the spring biased relief valve 207 to the sump 208.Ceneurrently therewith port 209 in valve 164 connects pressure line 185to fluid line 212 which supplies port 72 of ram 68. Accordingly, ram 68will move te the left as shown in Fig. 19 te cemplete the swagingoperation as illustrated in Fig. 10. The movable platen 46 and swagingdie 87 are held against this movement `by reason of the pressure ef thehydra'ulic fluid in cylinder 51, the vent through port 56 therefrombeing checked by valve 193.

As ram 68 moves to the left in lFig. 19, cam 133 will move away from LS6to close contact 213 of LS6 and open contact 214 ef LS6. Since relay 2had previously been energized by closure of LS3, relay actuated contacts215 and 216 are closed. Accordingly, the opening ef LS6 contact 214 willhave ne effect` en relay 1 since contacter 214 is bypassed by contact216. Closure of contact 213 ef LS6, however, completes a 4bypass circuitaround LS3 to permit LS3 te open without breaking the energizing circuitte relay 2. Contacter 213 of LS6 is in parallel with normally closedcontacter 249. As the projectile 32 is moved out from the die toward theleft as shown in Fig. 19, fluid in chamber 62 behind ram 63 will exhaustthrough port 67 to sump 204 as aforesaid.

The banding operation is new completed and when the ram 68 thas returnedthe banded shell 32 te the transfer station, cam 133 en red 134 willcontact and open normally closed limit switch LS4. When switch LS4 opensit will break the circuit to relay 11, thus breaking the circuit throughline 175, contacter 174, etc., to solenoid coil B and permit spring 172to close valve 171 Iand depressurize the ram cylinder 70 behind piston69.

inasmuch as relay 2 is still energized the deenergizatien of relay 1will complete a circuit from lead 136, line 217, normally closed switchcontacter 218, switch contacter 219, normally closed contacter 220, line167 through solenoid C and line l168 back te lead 137. Accordingly, port186 of valve 164 will be restored te its position shown in Fig. 19.Moreover, solenoid coil A of 'hydraulic fluid valve 223 will beconcurrently energized through its lines 224, 225 to move the valve plugtherein against the bias of spring 222 to its position in which its port226 passes hydraulic fluid from the pump Within housing 42 through lines227, 228 inte line v195.

Hydraulic uid is thus admitted under pressure to port 73 causing ram 68to move to the right in Fig. 19, iluid from behind the piston 69 beingexhausted through port 72, fluid line 212, port 229 in valve 164 to line206 and through the threttling valve 207 to the sump 208. Accordingly,ram 68 Will clear the banded shell at the transfer station. Pressurewill also be communicated through line 196 to port 55 ef cylinder 51 toforce piston 52 te the left in Fig. 19 to retract the movable platen 46from its Fig. 7 position to its Fig. 4 position and concurrently carrywith it and retract ram 63 away from engagement with the rear end of theshell 32.

Pressure in line .195 is communicated through line 194 to the valveopening pilot 210 of valve 193, thus permitting fluid ilow from line 188through valve 193 te line 187. Fluid from behind piston 52 accordinglybleeds through port 56 -through fluid lines 188, 187, 185 and throughport 232 in valve '171 te sump 233.

'Ilhe resistance ef valve 207 causes ram 53 te return prior te thereturn of ram 68.

In the course of its retraction cam 132 carried by ram sleeve 53 willmove off ef LS3 which will then open in the electrical circuit but willnot affect energization of relay 2 inasmuch as LS3 is now bypassed byswitch centacters 213, 215.

When ram sleeve 53 is fully retracted its cam 132 will close LS7. Thiswill complete a circuit te the solenoid coil E from the lead 136, line217, normally closed switch contacter 218, switch contacter 219 (relay 2being still energized), normally closed switch contacter 220, lines 166,and 234, contacter 235 held closed by energized relay 2, L57, line 236,solenoid coil E and line 237 back to lead 137. Accordingly, the valveplug 238 ef hydraulic control valve 239 will be pulled against the biasof its return spring 242 to its position shown in Fig. 19 in which port243 connects pressure hydraulic line 244 from the pump within housing 42te the fluid line 245 connected to the hydraulic. cylinder 123 abovepiston 246 therein.

Accordingly, as previously described in connection with Figs. `14through 16, hydraulic meter 123 will start the escapement cycle ef theescapement mechanism te eject the banded shell Aand deliver an unbandedshell from the ramp 107 ente the saddles 109, 110 of the transferstation. As the banded shell 32 passes over limit switch LS2 mounted atthe discharge end of escapement levers 118, LS2 will close momentarilyto complete a circuit from lead 136, line 247, closed contacter switch215, line 248, closed LSZ and relay 3 back te lead 137. When relay 3 isthus energized it will open normally closed contacter switch 249 whichotherwise bypassed LS6 centactor switch 213 and will close a holdingcircuit through contacter switch 252 around LS2.

If relay 3 is energized by actuation of LS2 prier te the time when LS6is actuated by retraction of ram 68, nothing further happens until ram68 does complete its retraction te engage its cam 133 with LS6 to openits switch contacter 213. Since LS6 contacter 213 is no longer bypassedby closed contacter switch 249, the circuit to relay 2 is then brokenand all contacter switches actuated by relay 2 are deactuated tede-energze all seleneids including solenoid E, thus permitting spring242 te move the valve plug 283 in the right in Fig. 19 and connecttheportion of cylinder 123 beneath piston 246 through line 253 and port 254in valve 239 with the pressure line 244 to force the piston rod 122 up,spent hydraulic uid above piston 246 exhausting through line 245 andport 255 to sump 256.- Accordingly, the escapement mechanism shown inFigs. 14 and 16 will complete its escapement cycle to position a freshlyarrived unbanded shell at the transfer station, all interlocking limitswitches LS1, LSS and LSS being then. closed to condition the circuitfor a new banding cycle. If selector switch `146 is on auto lthe newcycle will begin automatically. If the switch 146 is on hand, cyclestart switch 149 must be actuated to commence the next cycle.

If on the other hand ram 68 had retracted to engage its cam 133` withLS6 prior to the tripping by the banded shell 32 of LS2, contacter 213`of LS6 would have previously opened andthe opening of switch contactor249 as controlled by relay 3 will immediately de-energize relay 2 andthe foregoing steps would occur without delay. Accordingly, it makes nodifference to the operation of the machine whether -LS6 istripped'before or after the banded Shell 32 is discharged from thetransfer station.

At any time during the cycleemergency reverse button 257 may be pressed.Button 257 has ganged contactors 258, 259. Contacter 258 is normallyclosed in the circuit to relay 1 and contactor 259 is normally open inthe circuit bypassing L83 to relay 2. Actuation of button 257 willrelease its normally-closed contact 258 in the circuit to relay 1 andwill close normally open contact 259 in the circuit to relay 2. ThisWill eiect return of both ram 68 and 53 =to fully retracted :positionregardless of the point in the -cycle -at which the-emergency returnbutton is actuated.

Opening of the 'master stop switch 146 will deenergize 'the pump motor3S, thus stopping action of the device l at the position 'that thevarious parts loccupy at `the time Vthe master stop switch is opened. Apower failure will have the same effect as opening the master stopswitch 146. After power is restored it is ladvisable to actuate theemergency returnbutton 257 in order to retract l'both pistons 52, 69and-condition-the machine to re-establishment'of the banding cycle. l

From vthe foregoing it is clear that the device of the present inventionmay be setto continuously automatically band projectiles at a rate'which in commercial practice will average between eight and tenprojectiles per minute. Both Athe advance of the y*swaging ring aboutthe projectile and the `ejection-of the projectile from within theswaging ring will contract the band into the vprojectile groove. Thehydraulic rams fare all disposed on the same axis -of reciprocation andthe hydraulic ram which feeds the shell -into Yits banding Iposition isyhoused within the ram lsleeve for `lthe ram which actuates the movableplaten which'carn'es the swaging ring.

What is claimed is: l

l. A machine for banding shells Vhaving peripheral grooves, said machinecomprising a transfer station, means for delivering unbanded shells tosaid station and removing banded shells from said station, a swaging dieat one side of said station, a band support and a shell seat at theopposite side of the swaging die from said station, rst ram means formoving said shell in a given direction and at least partially throughsaid swaging die and into said seat with its groove registering with aband disposed on said band support, second ram means for moving theswaging die toward said shell seat in the same given direction wherebyto partially swage said band into said groove, and third ram means forejecting said shell from said seat in the opposite direction and throughsaid die to complete the swaging of the band into its groove and toconvey the shell back to said transfer station.

2. A machine for banding shells having peripheral grooves, said machinecomprising a transfer station, means for delivering unbanded shells tosaid station and removing banded shells from said station, a swaging dieat one side of said station, a band support and a shell seat at theopposite side of the swaging die lfrom said station, Ifirst-rain meansfor moving said shell in a .given direction and at least partiallythrough said swaging die and into said Vseat with its .grooveregistering with a band disposed on said band support, second ram means-for moving the swaging die-toward said shell `seat in the same givendirection whereby at least partially to swage said band into saidgroove, and Ythird ram means 'for ejecting said shell from said seat inthe opposite direction and through said die back to said transferstation, in further `combination with a reciprocating platen on whichsaid swaging die is mounted, a reciprocating cross head connected inspaced relation to said 'swaging die platen, said cross head having anopening Ythrough which the ram of Vthe first ram means extends, saidsecond ram vmeans being connected to said cross head to communicatemotion therethrough tio the swaging 'die platen.

3. The 'device of clair'n 2 in which 'thesaid second ram means comprises4a piston, said'piston being Vbored to provide a cylinder vfor thelrs'tYram means'.

2t. The device of 'claim 2 in further combination with a band magazine,and 'means actuated bythe movement of 'said swaging die platen forVfeeding bands Vf r'o'r'n said magazine to said band support.

5. A 'shell banding machine comprising three coaxial Huid operated rams,4a movable platen .provided with a swaging ring actuated by a first'one'of said rams, a'second one of said 4rams `constitutingmeans forfeeding la shell through said swaging ring, a shellsupport at thevsideof said swaging 'ring opposite said second ram 'and against whichsaid `shell is positioned by said second rain, a 'third von'e'of saidrams b'eingconc'entri'c'with and at the same side `of saidrswaging 'ringas said support and means for moving said thi'rd ram toward vsaid shelltoy eject said shell from within said'swagin'g vring and vinadirectionopposite vthat) in which the shell Was advanced -throughsaid'ring by jthe second ram.

6. A lmachine for banding shells having peripheral grooves, said machineYcoirlpiising *a transfer station, means for delivering unbanded shellsto'said station and removing banded shells vfrom said station, alsii/aging die at 1one side of said station, a band support and ya shellseat beyond said swagingjdie, 4ram meansjf'or moving said shell at leastpartially through said swaging `die and into said seat with its grooveregistering with a band" disposed `on said lband support, 'separate rammeans for moving the :swaging die toward said shell seat whereby at'least partially 'gto "swage said `band into said groove, andi ram meansfor ejectingsaid shell from said seat and through said 'die back to'said 'transfer station, said ltransfer station coinprisi'ngan"escapement mechanism for Vdischarging a banded :shell therefrom anddelivering an unbanded `shell thereto, said mechanism comprising shellpositioning means 'at said transfer station, a delivery conveyor, vanabutment lagainst which shells on said conveyor collect, and anescapement lever having an elevator platform portion extending beneaththe shell next adjacent said abutment and stop portion spaced fromsaidabutment and which is disposed in the path of shell advance when theescapement lever is raised to -lift the shell over the abutment, anapron which supports the shell in the raised position of the lever andindependently thereof and below which said stop is retracted when thelever is lowered to permit the shell to continue enroute to thepositioning means, and means for actuating said ram means in timedcoordination with said escapement mechanism.

7. A machine for banding shells having peripheral grooves, said machinecomprising a transfer station, means for delivering unbanded shells tosaid station and removing banded shells from said station, a movableplaten, an annular swaging die and means mounting said die in saidplaten at one side of said station, a band support and a shell seatbeyond said platen, ram means for moving said shell at least partiallythrough said swaging die and into said seat with its groove registeringwith a band disposed on said band support, separate ram means for movingsaid swaging die toward said shell seat whereby at least partially toswage said band into said groove and ram means for ejecting said shellfrom said seat and through said die back'to said transfer-station tocomplete the swaging of the band into its groove, the means for mountingsaid swaging die in said platen comprising a retaining ring shrunk ontosaid swaging die and adapted to contain radial stresses to which saidswaging die is subject in the swaging operation aforesaid.

8. In a device of the character described including three hydraulic ramsfor transporting a shell in a cycle of operations in which a band isswaged to the shell and the shell is transported to and from a transferstation, a hydraulic circuit for said hydraulic ram, said circuitincluding hydraulic valves and electromagnetic means for operating saidvalves, an electric circuit for selectively energizing saidelectromagnetic means, said electric circuit including limit switchesand means responsive lto movement of said shell through its bandingcycle for automatically actuating said limit switches to selectivelyenergize and de-energize said electromagnetic `means in an automaticcycle of banding operations, and

an escapement mechanism for removing banded shells from said transferstation and delivering unbanded shells thereto, a hydraulic mo-tor foractuating said escapement mechanism, a hydraulic circuit for said motorincluding a valve having an electromagnetic operator, an electriccircuit for said operator and circuit means interconnecting saidcircuits whereby the operation of the hydraulic motor aforesaid isinterrelated in timed sequence to the operation of the hydraulic rams ofthe banding machine.

9. An electric control circuit and a hydraulic actu- Aating circuit fora shell handing machine 'having a swaging die, a shell advancinghydraulic ram at one side of the die, a shell retracting hydraulic ramat the other side of the die and a 4hydraulic ram for moving the swagingdie with respect to said shell in its advanced position, said hydrauliccircuit including hydraulic feed -linesto said rams, and hydraulicvalves in said lines,

said electric control circuit including electric operating means forsaid valves and switch means therefor and including limit switchesoperated by the movement of said rams, and electric circuit meansinterlocking said .switches in a cycle of machine operations in whichsaid rams are sequentially actuated to advance an unbanded shellstherefrom, a hydraulic ram for actuating said escapement mechanism, ahydraulic feed line thereto, an electric operating means for said valve,and electric switch means in said circuit for operating said valve insequence with the operation of the rams of the shell banding machine.

11. A machine for banding shells having peripheral grooves, said machinecomprising a transfer station, means for delivering unbanded shells tosaid station and removing banded shells from said station, a swaging dieat one side of said station, a band support and a shell seat at theopposite side of the swaging die from said station, rst ram means formoving said shell in a given direction and at least partially throughsaid swaging die and into said seat with its groove registering with a4band disposed on said band support, second ram means for moving thelswaging die toward said shell seat in the same given direction wherebyto partially swage said band into the groove, means for arresting themovement of said swaging die before the band is completely seated insaid groove, means for withdrawing the shell from its seat and throughthe swaging die to complete the swaging of the band into its groove andmeans holding said die against movement while the shell is being thuswithdrawn.

12. The device of claim 11 in which the means for withdrawing the shellfrom its seat comprises a third ram means which moves the shell oppositesaid given direction.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,744,199 Baker Jan. 21, 1930 1,944,982 Hoy Jan. 30, 1934 2,001,204 LongMay 14, 1935 2,001,902 Engelbertz May 21, 1935 2,337,033 Davies Dec. 21,1943 2,350,465 Keshian lune 6, 1944 2,357,683 Nelson et al. Sept. 5,1944 2,379,668 Wacker July 3, 1945 2,406,392 Minarik et al.. Aug. 27,1946 2,438,999 Hartley et al. Apr. 6, 1948 2,492,227 Korecky Dec. 27,1949 2,517,598 Rehnberg et al. Aug. 8, 1950 2,519,837 Lampard Aug. 22,1950 2,575,504 Wright Nov. 20, 1951 2,616,298 Clitord Nov. 4, 1952 l2,660,780 Beck Dec. 1, 1953 2,696,130 Peters Dec. 7, 1954 2,699,600Korecky Jan. 18, 1955 2,743,614 Clifford May 1, 1956 2,749,782 Edgecombeet al. .lune 12, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 432,719 Great Britain Aug. 1, 1935

